Over the weekend we experienced not only record-breaking warmth (64 F. in Seattle), but also a steady stream of pine siskins in flocks of 20-60 birds! The top photo shows a segment of our Katsura tree, which was decorated with this many birds throughout. They arrived each morning to crunch seeds for about 20 minutes, then move on to another tree. Wild seed party!

We usually see one or two pine siskins throughout the winter, flying in a mixed flock with the junkos and chickadees. They are fond of suet, and a tell-tale ID is that the pine siskin won't land on the suet, but instead flutters in front of it and pecks. Pine Siskins look a lot like the female finches that they fly with and they also look deceptively like a song sparrow-from the front. The best way to ID a pine siskin is to note the yellow patches on the tail and the wings. They also have a really pointy bill (compared to the finch wives).

What is causing the irruption of pine siskins? Audubon states that the irruption is a 2-year cycle, and is most likely driven by a shortages of seeds in spruces, pines, birch, and alder in the Canada and western US states.

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Tracey Byrne~I spent most of the 1980s and 90s in Alaskaflying airplanes, floating wild rivers, winter camping, raising a wild child, and living off the grid :^)

With my MAT in Advanced Inquiry for Biological Sciences, I've taught K-12 students from north of the Arctic Circle to the Puget Sound Ecoregion, garnering over thirty years experience as a classroom teacher, learning mentor, and private tutor.

Here in Seattle, I am an advocate for environmental stewardship, place-based education, and outdoor play. I share my enthusiasm for birds, bugs, and backyards as a writer/photographer for Pacific Horticulture.